U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team coach and Palmetto Bay resident Jill Ellis announced on July 30 in a press release from U.S. Soccer that she will be retiring in early October.
Ellis led the U.S. Women’s National Team to its second consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup title in Lyon, France, on July 7.
“The opportunity to coach this team and work with these amazing women has been the honor of a lifetime,” Ellis said in a statement. “I want to thank and praise them for their commitment and passion to not only win championships but also raise the profile of this sport globally while being an inspiration to those who will follow them.”
Ellis led the team in 127 matches, with 102 wins, breaking April Heinrich’s U.S. women’s team record for most games coached.
She will remain with the team for a World Cup Victory Tour which began with a match against Ireland at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Following the conclusion of the five-match tour in October, she will serve as a U.S. Soccer ambassador.
U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro praised Ellis in an official statement.
“Jill was always extremely passionate about this team, analytical, tremendously focused and not afraid to make tough decisions while giving her players the freedom to play to their strengths,” Cordeiro said. “She helped raise the bar for women’s soccer in the USA and the world, and given the history of this program, the level of success she achieved is even more remarkable.”
The Village of Palmetto Bay is planning a special event day honoring Ellis sometime in September.
